castle rackrent(拉克伦特堡)-第17章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
there were now no less than three ladies in our county talked of for his
second wife； all at daggers drawn with each other； as his gentleman swore；
at the balls； for Sir Kit for their partnerI could not but think them
bewitched； but they all reasoned with themselves that Sir Kit would make
a good husband to any Christian but a Jewish； I suppose； and especially as
he was now a reformed rake； and it was not known how my lady's fortune
was settled in her will； nor how the Castle Rackrent estate was all
mortgaged； and bonds out against him； for he was never cured of his
gaming tricks； but that was the only fault he had； God bless him！
My lady had a sort of fit； and it was given out that she was dead； by
mistake： this brought things to a sad crisis for my poor master。 One of
the three ladies showed his letters to her brother； and claimed his promises；
whilst another did the same。 I don't mention names。 Sir Kit； in his
defence； said he would meet any man who dared to question his conduct；
and as to the ladies； they must settle it amongst them who was to be his
second； and his third； and his fourth； whilst his first was still alive； to his
mortification and theirs。 Upon this； as upon all former occasions； he had
the voice of the country with him； on account of the great spirit and
propriety he acted with。 He met and shot the first lady's brother： the
next day he called out the second； who had a wooden leg； and their place
of meeting by appointment being in a new…ploughed field； the wooden…leg
man stuck fast in it。 Sir Kit； seeing his situation； with great candour fired
his pistol over his head； upon which the seconds interposed； and
convinced the parties there had been a slight misunderstanding between
them： thereupon they shook hands cordially； and went home to dinner
together。 This gentleman； to show the world how they stood together； and
by the advice of the friends of both parties； to re…establish his sister's
injured reputation； went out with Sir Kit as his second； and carried his
message next day to the last of his adversaries： I never saw him in such
47
… Page 48…
Castle Rackrent
fine spirits as that day he went outsure enough he was within ames…ace
of getting quit handsomely of all his enemies； but unluckily； after hitting
the toothpick out of his adversary's finger and thumb； he received a ball in
a vital part； and was brought home； in little better than an hour after the
affair； speechless on a hand…barrow to my lady。 We got the key out of his
pocket the first thing we did； and my son Jason ran to unlock the barrack…
room； where my lady had been shut up for seven years； to acquaint her
with the fatal accident。 The surprise bereaved her of her senses at first；
nor would she believe but we were putting some new trick upon her； to
entrap her out of her jewels； for a great while； till Jason bethought himself
of taking her to the window； and showed her the men bringing Sir Kit up
the avenue upon the hand…barrow； which had immediately the desired
effect； for directly she burst into tears； and pulling her cross from her
bosom； she kissed it with as great devotion as ever I witnessed； and lifting
up her eyes to heaven； uttered some ejaculation； which none present heard；
but I take the sense of it to be； she returned thanks for this unexpected
interposition in her favour when she had least reason to expect it。 My
master was greatly lamented： there was no life in him when we lifted
him off the barrow； so he was laid out immediately； and 'waked' the same
night。 The country was all in an uproar about him； and not a soul but
cried shame upon his murderer； who would have been hanged surely； if he
could have been brought to his trial； whilst the gentlemen in the country
were up about it； but he very prudently withdrew himself to the Continent
before the affair was made public。 As for the young lady who was the
immediate cause of the fatal accident； however innocently； she could never
show her head after at the balls in the county or any place； and by the
advice of her friends and physicians； she was ordered soon after to Bath；
where it was expected； if anywhere on this side of the grave； she would
meet with the recovery of her health and lost peace of mind。 As a proof
of his great popularity； I need only add that there was a song made upon
my master's untimely death in the newspapers； which was in everybody's
mouth； singing up and down through the country； even down to the
mountains； only three days after his unhappy exit。 He was also greatly
bemoaned at the Curragh ＇See GLOSSARY 22＇； where his cattle were
48
… Page 49…
Castle Rackrent
well known； and all who had taken up his bets were particularly
inconsolable for his loss to society。 His stud sold at the cant at the
greatest price ever known in the county ＇See GLOSSARY 23＇； his
favourite horses were chiefly disposed of amongst his particular friends；
who would give any price for them for his sake； but no ready money was
required by the new heir； who wished not to displease any of the
gentlemen of the neighbourhood just upon his coming to settle amongst
them； so a long credit was given where requisite； and the cash has never
been gathered in from that day to this。
But to return to my lady。 She got surprisingly well after my master's
decease。 No sooner was it known for certain that he was dead； than all
the gentlemen within twenty miles of us came in a body； as it were； to set
my lady at liberty； and to protest against her confinement； which they now
for the first time understood was against her own consent。 The ladies too
were as attentive as possible； striving who should be foremost with their
morning visits； and they that saw the diamonds spoke very handsomely of
them； but thought it a pity they were not bestowed； if it had so pleased
God； upon a lady who would have become them better。 All these
civilities wrought little with my lady； for she had taken an unaccountable
prejudice against the country； and everything belonging to it； and was so
partial to her native land； that after parting with the cook； which she did
immediately upon my master's decease； I never knew her easy one instant；
night or day； but when she was packing up to leave us。 Had she meant to
make any stay in Ireland； I stood a great chance of being a great favourite
with her； for when she found I understood the weathercock； she was
always finding some pretence to be talking to me； and asking me which
way the wind blew； and was it likely； did I think； to continue fair for
England。 But when I saw she had made up her mind to spend the rest of
her days upon her own income and jewels in England； I considered her
quite as a foreigner； and not at all
